Help... a lot of blood and tears and not better

We got Toby (a 1 year old Main Coon boy, 2 years old now..) from a no kill shelter a year ago. He is loved here! He's indoor. He has all claws. He is so happy. However during a major purr session while making coffee a year ago, he bit me very hard on the top of the foot. He was loving and purring when he did it. Since last year, I have given a pint of blood and many scars on my leg and foot. I have spanked him, and loved him. I have tried all actions. Tonight, I was on the couch emailing and he came up and curled up/. He fell asleep. He was sp happy. Then, he left to go eat. Next thing, he bit my foot hard and then my middle finger drawing a huge amount of blood. I should probably have gotten a stitch or two but we got the cut stopped with super glue. Super glue is sterile and was designed for cuts in the Korean war! However, I give. We'll keep Toby because 98% time he is a wonderful cat and so much fun. We play a lot with him and he's got plenty of attention, but not spoiled rotten. What's this about? Thanks... wounded Keith

I highly suggest a vet visit, full exam, specifically to address this problem.

It's possible a health issue is causing that (one that is not visible to you)
It's possible he's seeing another animal which is setting him off
It's possible there is a visible trigger you might not be noticing

Have you tried feliway or rescue remedy?

Also, be cautious with cat bites, they get infected easily.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I highly suggest a vet visit, full exam, specifically to address this problem.

It's possible a health issue is causing that (one that is not visible to you)
It's possible he's seeing another animal which is setting him off
It's possible there is a visible trigger you might not be noticing

Have you tried feliway or rescue remedy?

Also, be cautious with cat bites, they get infected easily.

Click to expand...

I agree.
If all of these are ruled out, maybe he's just sensitive and you are actually bothering him after awhile when you are petting him. Twig's like that. He will start to twitch his back and tail and then if you don't realize what he's doing, he'll turn and nail you. I warn everyone about it when they come in but have mostly resorted to locking Twig (and the others) away from people because I just am worried that he'll really hurt someone and then we will have a problem, and the girls don't like company anyway so it just works out this way.

From the sound of it, you are not bothering him at all (unless you were and didn't tell) and Toby just has weird 'moments', unfortunately (in a way) so stretched in time that he doesn't remember from one to the next how negatively you reacted to what he did (and therefore beating him up, etc. each time is pointless). I honestly think he has no malice at the time he bites, maybe to him they are 'love' bites, who knows, but short of your wearing gloves and boots around the house 24/7, I think you might just have to decide about putting up with it or not. There may just be a tiny blip in his brain that surfaces twice a year telling him to bite you, with no reasonable (or humanly decipherable) explanation. PS - that Super Glue thingy was shown on an old CSI the other day.. did you happen to see it? It has been used in surgery for decades!

Try to pay attention when he does this. What is going on? There HAS to be something triggering it. It could be something you would never even imagine like a thunderstorm or some sort of change in his environment.

Just a couple thoughts........

When he does this have you been petting/grooming him for extended periods?? cello gets annoyed with me when I pet or groom him for too long, or when he is in a frisky mood and I go to pet him he will bite my hand, never has drawn blood though

Can you think if you were ever undergoing a certain emotion when this happens?? When I get really emotional (usually REALLY emotional.....borderline hysterical) Cello can't take it and he will attack me violently and will draw blood.. I am VERY rarely this upset and I've learned if something sets me off that we have to be in seperate rooms until i calm down.

I also second the rescue remedy, a couple drops of this maintained in his waterbowl may be enough to take off that random edge....

Good luck and calming vibes to you and your kitty

That sort of behavior is usually after over-stimulation, and like Larke and Jugen said, the cat often gives clues. But they are sometimes very subtle - you know cats!!

Have you found this thread on cat aggression?

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...threadid=20837

Ok, he got me again the othe night. He was so happy and loving. He was in and out of my legs a lot. I was paying him attention and not ignoring him. He was purring out loud. I was even talking to Toby. He just kind of gently hunckered down and sprang on my foot, again, drawing 4 puncture wounds. I picked him up right away and loved him. He was purring like mad. I saw him in that mood this morning. I sat indian style and it seemed to go away. I wonder if he is intimidated by my stance?

it could def. be posture......... animals read posture and body signals/language in a way we can't possibly comprehend

Originally Posted by Mopar92

I have spanked him, and loved him. I have tried all actions.

Click to expand...

Please don't spank him.